VIC · North East Victoria · Local council, made simple
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council covers the city of Wangaratta and about 3,600 km² of North East Victoria around it — Glenrowan, the King Valley towns of Milawa, Oxley, Moyhu and Whitfield, and Eldorado, Everton and Springhurst — and is home to about 30,000 people. Seven councillors, one per ward, choose the Mayor each year. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Wangaratta Rural City Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Help Improve Wangaratta-Whitfield Road
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Small Dogs Park
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Access for Everyone
Have your say →
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: general rates +2.75% (the state cap); waste charges +6%
Open →Budget & financesWangaratta's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,962 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyWangaratta's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
7 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Irene Grant (2025–2026)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and the 2024 results.
Next council election: Saturday 28 October 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, office and hours.
Phone: 03 5722 0888
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 30,089 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
20 updatesAuto-collected from Wangaratta Rural City Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Pierce Brothers to headline Wangaratta New Year’s Eve event
Published on 10 September 2026 The Pierce Brothers will headline Wangaratta’s free New Year’s Eve celebration at the new location, W. J.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Author Anne Freeman to discuss new novel at Wangaratta Library
Published on 24 September 2026 Australian author Anne Freeman will discuss her latest novel, The Time After Now, at Wangaratta Library on Friday 9 October at 2. 30pm.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Nominations Open for Wangaratta’s Youth Council 2027
Published on 23 September 2026 Applications are now open for the 2027 Rural City of Wangaratta Youth Council, giving local young people the opportunity to represent their peers and help shape the future of the region.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Event
Grit & Resilience Festival returns with music, movement, and community
Published on 23 September 2026 Wangaratta’s free Grit & Resilience Festival will return to King George Gardens on Saturday 10 October, with live music, cultural performances, activities, and information from local support services.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Community priorities translating into results - Council Plan Year 1
Published on 22 September 2026 One year after adopting its Council Plan 2025-2029, the Rural City of Wangaratta says all first-year actions are on track, with progress recorded across community services, environmental initiatives, economic development, and infrastructure projects.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Rural City Connection - September 25
Published on 18 September 2026 Read this week’s edition of Rural City Connection for the latest on key projects, community engagement opportunities, events, job openings, tenders, and general council news.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Event
Free community celebration returns to Glenrowan
Published on 15 September 2026 G’Day Glenrowan will return on Saturday 3 October, with local market stalls, regional produce, live entertainment and family activities across Lions Park and Gladstone Street. Entry is free.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Tannins in focus at Wangaratta Art Gallery
Published on 11 September 2026 Wangaratta Art Gallery will present a major new exhibition this Spring focussing on the cultural, community, and intergenerational bonds of tannins – the highly pungent, richly coloured organic compounds found in plant matter such as leaves, bark, sap, fruits, seeds, and spices, known for their strong, bitter taste and their ability to colour and stain.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Rural City of Wangaratta — News
- Policy
Council reports on the first year of its Council Plan
One year after adopting its Council Plan 2025–2029, the council says all first-year actions are on track. Figures it reports include more than 453,000 visits to the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, 92% of sealed roads below intervention level, 75% of planning applications decided within legislated timeframes, and 161 new residential lots released.
What this means for you: These are the council's own progress figures; its annual report sets out the full results.
- Event
Free New Year's Eve event moves to W.J. Findlay Oval
Wangaratta's free New Year's Eve celebration will be held at a new location, W.J. Findlay Oval, on Thursday 31 December 2026, with the Pierce Brothers headlining, free family activities, and fireworks at 9pm and midnight.
What this means for you: Entry and activities are free.
- Have your say
Have your say on Wangaratta–Whitfield Road
The council is asking people who use Wangaratta–Whitfield Road to drop a pin on problem areas and prioritise sections for repair or upgrade. The road is managed by the state's Department of Transport and Planning; the council says the feedback will support its advocacy for state funding.
What this means for you: Take part on Connect Wangaratta, the council's engagement site.
Source: Connect Wangaratta
- Have your say
Help Improve Wangaratta-Whitfield Road
Advocating for a safer, more reliable connection to the King Valley Council has joined Regional Cities Victoria in calling for additional investment of $2billion for regional roads. One of our priority roads is the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, a critical transport link supporting local communities, agriculture, tourism and freight.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Small Dogs Park
We're planning to construct a separate area for small dogs at Mitchell Avenue Reserve off-leash area, and we want your feedback on the concept plan. We've developed a draft plan featuring separate areas for small and large dogs, upgraded fencing, accessible gates, seating, water fountains and agility equipment, and we'd like to know if we got it right.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Access for Everyone
We are seeking community feedback on the draft Access for Everyone Plan 2026-2031 to help ensure it reflects the needs, experiences and priorities of our community. The draft Plan outlines Council's commitment to creating a more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming community where everyone can participate fully in community life.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Tree Management Policy
We have developed a draft Tree Management Policy to guide how trees are managed across the Rural City of Wangaratta, including decisions about tree retention, planting, protection, risk management, maintenance and removal, particularly on Council-managed land.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre
Take our survey to share your feedback on your class preferences, ideal class times and any barriers to participation. The survey is open to everyone, including current group fitness participants, WSAC members and those interested in attending classes in the future.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Hearing from Council
Help us keep you informed. Take our two minute survey and let us know how you want to receive updates and news.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted: rates at the 2.75% cap, $22.27m of capital works
The council adopted its 2026–27 budget at its May 2026 meeting. Average general rates rise by the 2.75% state cap and waste charges by 6%; the capital works program is $22.27 million with no new borrowings. The budget forecasts an adjusted underlying deficit of $3.56 million and cuts operating costs by more than $2.8 million, including fewer events and smaller community grants.
What this means for you: The first rates instalment for 2026–27 is due on 30 September 2026 (or 14 days after your notice was issued, if later).
- Have your say
Merriwa Park Project - Story Space
We are inviting the community to share their stories, memories and experiences of Merriwa Park. The Merriwa Park Story Space is a small but meaningful project that brings the heart of the park back to the community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft - Reconciliation Action Plan
The Rural City of Wangaratta has developed a draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to foster respectful, inclusive, and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This strategy is grounded in cultural respect, trust-building, and collaboration, aiming to align with reconciliation goals through structured consultation and community involvement.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Wangaratta Rural City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.